Mainie Australia: Style, Story & Authentic Australian Design
At Mainie Australia, we believe fashion is more than what you wear - it’s a way to celebrate culture, honour stories passed down through generations and support the people who create them. Mainie is a proud Indigenous-owned and operated Australian fashion and gift brand that brings the world’s oldest continuous living culture into contemporary wardrobes with style, elegance and meaning.
Our Story
Founded in 2012 by Gunggari woman Charmaine Saunders, Mainie Australia began with a simple but powerful vision: to share the beauty and depth of Aboriginal art with the world in a way that authentically honours its origins. From South West Queensland’s Maranoa River region, Charmaine blended her cultural heritage with her passion for design to create a brand that is both artistic and ethical - a fusion of heritage and modern luxury.
Mainie is a Supply Nation certified Indigenous owned business and is an approved Dealer Member of the Indigenous Art Code, underscoring our commitment to integrity, transparency and respect for Authentic Aboriginal Art.
Cockatoo Creek Dreaming Modal Scarf
Our Products: Wearable Art with Heart
Every piece in the Mainie collection tells a story - a story connected to Country, connected to Ancestors and expressed through stunning visual language.
Our curated range includes:
- Luxurious Silk Scarves - Pure silk chiffon pieces featuring vibrant Aboriginal art designs that transform any outfit into a statement of style and heritage.
- Australian Merino Wool Scarves - Soft, warm and timeless, perfect for cooler climates and layering with ease.
- Vegan-Friendly Modal Scarves - Light, eco-conscious and versatile, ideal for everyday elegance.
- Stylish Men’s Accessories – Handmade silk ties and pocket squares.
- Artwork & Handcrafted Artefacts - Beautiful additions to our story available at the Mainie Gallery at The Pier, Cairns.
Each design is sourced from Aboriginal women artists - many from remote regions such as the Central Desert, as well as Far North Queensland - and reproduced under ethical licensing arrangements that ensure artists retain copyright and receive royalties for every piece made.
When you choose a Mainie piece, you’re choosing more than fashion - you’re choosing connection, culture and purpose.
Ancient Dreaming Stories Brought to Life as Art
Our People: Artists First
At the heart of Mainie are the women whose artwork brings every scarf and garment to life. These artists preserve ancient cultural narratives - Dreaming stories, connections to Country, sacred landscapes and community identity - and express them through colour, form and tradition.
We work directly with these artists through formal agreements that uphold the highest ethical standards, ensuring that artistic intellectual property is respected and that royalties return to the communities who keep these traditions alive.
Ethics, Culture & Community
Mainie is proud to work in genuine collaboration with Aboriginal women artists, supporting cultural continuity, creative expression and meaningful economic opportunities for artists, families and communities.
We honour the enduring cultures of Australia’s First Nations peoples and are committed to respectful storytelling, ethical licensing and artist royalties that recognise and protect cultural and intellectual property.
Our work is about more than creating beautiful fashion – it is about celebrating living culture, supporting artists to thrive and sharing authentic wearable art that connects people through beauty, meaning and respect.
Women’s Journey Dreaming Silk Scarf
Style with Purpose
Whether you wear a silk scarf to elevate a travel wardrobe, choose a wool wrap for elegance in cooler weather, or gift a vibrant piece to someone special, Mainie products stand out for their beauty, quality and meaning.
Many of our customers tell us that owning a Mainie piece feels like carrying a meaningful story with them - one that sparks conversation, draws admiration and connects them to Australia’s rich cultural heritage.
Discover our collection and explore the stories behind each design
at Mainie Australia.
